Antithesis is a sharp rhetorical contrast of images, states or concepts, interconnected by an internal meaning or general structure. What is the antithesis in the literature? Numerous examples where contrasting or sharply contrasting concepts and images are compared to enhance the impression explain this. Moreover, the stronger the contrast, the brighter the antithesis.
A.S. Pushkin used such comparisons as “verses - prose”, “wave - stone”, “ice - flame”. At N.A. Nekrasova and S.A. Yesenin they turn into an oxymoron: "wretched luxury", "sad joy."
The role of the antithesis is manifested in the exact subordination, for example: “Caught up the blizzards while writing about the summer”; "There was a fair conversation, but everyone was muddied."
But this does not have to be fulfilled, for example: “Okay, they sang, but didn’t stretch out”, “The praise sounds beautiful, it’s bitter.” Here, individual concepts were
sung and
not stretched out ,
sounds and
bitterness are not in the logical subordination of opposites such as
water and flame or
light and darkness , but concepts are taken with a specific specification, although there is no accuracy and logical clarity, as is often the case in proverbs.
How to make the antithesis expressive?
Strengthening expressiveness is achieved in the following ways:
The contrast may be semantic: "Having misinterpreted, we reached the point." Both words and constructions are contrasted.
Antithetic concepts (containing opposition) can collectively express something in common, such as contrast. What is the antithesis in literature can be seen from the hero of Derzhavin, where he calls himself both a king and a slave, depicts a person of contrasting nature.
The antithetic image often plays a supporting role in the opposed, which is the main one. The expressed subject is characterized by only one member of the antithesis, where the second has a purely official function: “For ideal forms, content is not necessary.”
The comparison may express the choice of alternative solutions: "" Share or not? " thought the calculator.
You can use phonetic semblance, for example, "teach - get bored."
The antithesis may contain not two, but more contrasting images, i.e. be polynomial.
Antithesis: examples from the literature
Contrasts in the works are used in the names, characteristics of the characters, in the methods of psychological images and issues. What is the antithesis in the literature? The general definition does not fully reveal its meaning. It becomes clearer and more multifaceted when analyzing famous works.
Roman L.N. Tolstoy “War and Peace”
The title of the work is meaningful, despite the fact that a simple antithesis is applied. The world is presented as the antithesis of war. In drafts, the author tries to vary this word, trying to find a better solution.
In the work, Tolstoy creates two poles: good and evil, or peace and enmity. The author sharply contrasts the characters with each other, where some are carriers of life, while others are discord. Throughout the novel, comparisons of "wrong - right", "spontaneous - rational", "natural - ostentatious" constantly appear. All this is manifested through images, for example, Natasha and Helen, Napoleon and Kutuzov. The antithesis "false - true" is manifested in the ridiculous situation of the duel in which Pierre Bezukhov fell.
Roman F.M. Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment"
Dostoevsky’s methods are completely different, since he has slightly different views on man. His heroes combine good and evil, compassion and selfishness. The internal court of conscience over Raskolnikov is the biggest punishment for a crime. The heroes of Dostoevsky are arguing not about personalities, but about their ideas, leading to moral tragedy. Before the crime, Raskolnikov was a good person, and after the author gives him a description of the killer.
Roman I.S. Turgenev "Fathers and Sons"
The shift in public consciousness in the mid-19th century was reflected in the novel Fathers and Sons, in which the protagonist is opposed to all those around him. The main issue here is the generational conflict caused by attachment. Contradictions with friends are caused by differences of belief and uncompromising. Defend their ideals and defeat the enemy becomes the end in itself of the heroes.
Some of them look funny because of their limitations. Trying to overcome it, they try to implement new ideas in order to assert themselves. Turgenev uses the antithesis technique as an
artistic tool. At the same time, living images, their relationships are better revealed, and the plot develops.
Thus, it becomes clear what is the antithesis in the literature. The works of classics vividly demonstrate this stylistic device.
Conclusion
To compare contrasting or opposing concepts, in order to enhance the impression, an antithesis is used. Examples from the literature indicate that it can be the main principle of building both individual parts and the whole work.